Session Preview, Meet Your Legislators, Revenue Forecast, Get Out theVote
2021 Session Preview: October 15, 7:00PM
The 2021 legislative session will look different from years past and WCAAP will be creative and dynamic advocating for all of Washington’s children and families. It’s more important than ever for our pediatric health care community to provide a voice for children as our state’s policies and budget priorities are being decided and access to legislators changes during the pandemic.
Join us on October 15 at 7:00pm to learn about our legislative priorities for the 2021 session, our strategy between now and the first day of the legislative session in January, and how you can help us ensure access to care and well-being for Washington kids and families– even if you have just a few minutes in your day to spare.
Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlcOCprT4rE9TMWByGIedwKd2JLuWN8Sra
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meet Your Legislators!
Connecting with your legislators before January is the most important and effective thing you, as a WCAAP member, can do to ensure children have a voice in Olympia. Meetings via Zoom are easy, and we can make it even easier – just let us know up to 5 dates/times you are available October-December, and we’ll contact legislators on your behalf. Submit your info by November 6th at https://forms.gle/rxNuhthF4cJVikV39 for help scheduling a meeting with your legislator(s). We can also help you invite other WCAAP members in your district!
“We had a Zoom meeting with Rep. Marcus Riccelli, and it was very easy to set up, join, and communicate with Rep. Riccelli. With multiple pediatricians from our community present, as well as Sarah and Amber from WCAAP, we had an excellent discussion around the health needs of children in our community.” – Dr. Chris Anderson, pediatric cardiologist, Spokane
September Revenue Forecast
The Washington State September revenue forecast has been released by the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and projections are improved by half!
In June, the Revenue Forecast Council projected that state revenues through the 2021-2023 biennium at $8.8B lower than the previous projection had shown. The September updated numbers now project a shortfall of $4.2B for the 2021-2023 biennium. That is an increase of $2.1B for the current biennium (2019-2021) and $2.2B for next biennium (2021-2023).
The improvement is largely due to increased employment, revenues from online shopping and home sales, plus some help from federal stimulus dollars.
While this is positive news, COVID infection rates could increase and effect the economy negatively as we move into the winter months. The next round of Federal stimulus as well as any effect from recent Boeing decisions are also uncertain. These factors will impact the availability of general fund dollars. As legislators prepare to reconvene in January, all options will continue to be on the table in order to deliver a sustained recovery for Washington state.
Vote like children’s futures depend on it
Pediatric health care providers see the ways public policies affect children and families every day, so you know how important it is to elect candidates who will champion policies that make life better for families, advance equitable health care, and keep kids safe.
You can help make sure the families in your care have a voice by encouraging them to register to vote! Many health care providers have been using the AAP and VotER resources below to talk with parents.
“I downloaded and printed the Vote Kids flyer from the AAP both in English and Spanish. It provides a QR code for quick on voter registration and reminds parents about voting for kids interests. I give it to all my families with each encounter. They have been grateful and very receptive to the information!” says Thatcher Felt, DO, FAAP.
“ED staff at Seattle Children’s are wearing badge backers and we have large posters displayed in the lobby. I have received great positive feedback from many families so far!”” says Bethany Jerabek, ARNP.
In the state of Washington, you must register by October 26th if you are registering online or by mail.
Washington State Voter Registration: https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx
AAP’s Vote Kids tools and resources: https://services.aap.org/en/advocacy/election-vote-kids/
VotER Resources:
- Digital AAP-branded options, including a badge backer and a phone background.
- Digital toolbox for the final stretch of get-out-the-vote efforts: https://vot-er.org/finalstretch/
AAP webinar: Election 2020: Vote Like Children’s Futures Depend on It https://players.brightcove.net/6056665225001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6186343200001